PREFACE. 



I HAVE stated in the preface to the first Edition of this work, and 

 in the Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle, that it was in con- 

 sequence of a wish expressed by Captain Fitz Eoy, of having some 

 scientific person on board, accompanied by an offer from him of 

 giving up part of his own accommodations, that I volunteered my 

 services, which received, through the kindness of the hydro- 

 grapher, Captain Beaufort, the sanction of the Lords of the 

 Admiralty. As I feel that the opportunities which I enjoyed of 

 studying the Natural History of the different countries we visited, 

 have been wholly due to Captain Fitz Eoy, I hope I may here be 

 permitted to repeat my expression of gratitude to him; and to 

 add that, during the five years we were together, I received from 

 him the most cordial friendship and steady assistance. Both to 

 Captain Fitz Eoy and to all the Officers of the Beagle * I shall ever 

 feel most thankful for the undeviating kindness with which I was 

 treated during our long voyage. 



This volume contains, in the form of a Journal, a history of our 

 voyage, and a sketch of those observations in Natural History and 

 Geology, which I think will possess some interest for the general 

 reader. I have in this edition largely condensed and corrected 

 some parts, and have added a little to others, in order to render 

 the volume more fitted for popular reading; but I trust that 

 naturalists will remember, that they must refer for details to the 

 larger publications, which comprise the scientific results of the 

 Expedition. The Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle includes an 



* I must take this opportunity of returning my sincere thanks to Mr. 

 Bynoc, the surgeon of the Beagle, for his very kind attention to me when 

 I was ill at Valparaiso. 



